Cholera kills 50 in Benue

John Akpodovhan, Makurdi - 30.03.2008

IN less than two weeks of the outbreak of cholera, over 50 people have lost their lives to the deadly scourge which ravaged Makurdi and Otukpo local government areas of Benue State.

According to Sunday Tribune investigation, two suburbs of the state capital of Makurdi – Wadata and North Bank which are predominantly Hausa dominated are worst hit.

In Wadata, unconfirmed report revealed that the scourge had started taking its toll on the people since February this year. At the Alheri Clinic, Wadata, where over 100 patients had been diagnosed, the nurse on duty at the time of filing this report disclosed that four patients had died and the deceased included a six -year old.

The highly populated Wadata suburb depended on Hausa water hawkers, who fetch directly from the River Benue for cooking and other household chores. The nurse told Sunday Tribune that most of the patients complained of diarrhea and excess stooling, two symptoms that are associated with cholera.

She said they had been educating their patients and their relations on the need to always boil their water before drinking ,adding that the water from River Benue is not hygienic for drinking since people pass feaces into it.

At Faith Clinic, Wadata, the doctor , who prefered anonymity ,disclosed that he had only three patients who were admitted for either diarrhea or vomiting, explaining that they had recorded many deaths ,pointing out that it was a fact that cholera is on the rampage based on reports aired by Radio Benue.

Dr. Lucas Akanger of North Bank General Hospital, told newsmen that the hospital had witnessed a high record of patients suffering from Cholera and urgent medical attention was given to those on admission, noting that those who lost their lives died in their homes.

He stated that he and his team had resorted to educating the patients and their relations to make sure that they boil their water before drinking.